As you say, just because a kayak has a rudder does not mean it's being used as a crutch. Could say the same for a skeg anyway ("it's a crutch for someone who can't keep the boat going straight"). But with a skeg it's not *obvious* that it's deployed, because it's underneath the hull. ;-) AHA, maybe that's it! Appearances, you know.

I too dislike the cables and extra "stuff" associated with a rudder. It might also contribute to weathercocking--have seen some arguments about that one. And I have experienced that unsettling swinging-in-empty-air feeling when trying to rudder after a wave has lifted the stern end out of the water (good thing paddle strokes still work). But the #1 thing I dislike about rudders is the crappy sliding footpegs that usually go with them. Yes, I know there are ways of fixing this, but most kayaks here come with those awful sliders.

Still, I do like rudders on a long camping trip. Even though I can edge the loaded boat, it just doesn't feel as natural or secure as edging an unloaded boat. And on the umpteenth day of paddling, loading/unloading, hauling gear, pumping water filters, and all the rest of what comes with wilderness camping, I am grateful that I have the option of steering with this marvelous piece of metal called a rudder. Better yet, if the wind is coming a little off the side, that thing is sooooooo sweet. Before doing a long trip, I didn't realize how much physical effort this saves. The reason is that on day trips, I get the wind coming at me from all directions, because I always return to where I put in. But going from Point A to Point B the entire day means that a quartering wind is a quartering wind for the whole time, which can get very tiring. The rudder saves that energy so it can be used for things, such as loading, unloading, hauling gear, looking for the flattest tent site, etc.

Do New Zealanders generally make more camping trips than U.S. paddlers? Maybe that has something to do with the acceptance of rudders. It's too bad that in the U.S. the choice has become laden with implications of skill level.

I like paddling my totally "clean" S&G for day trips, but for a big camping trip I want a rudder.

: Interestingly its the opposite in NZ. All seakayaks sold here have either a
: rudder fitted or are designed to allow for one to be fitted. I am not
: aware of any skegged kayak being manufactured or imported into the
: country. The only skeg kayak I've paddled is a friends Chatham she brought
: into the country for her own use.

: A rudder isn't perceived as a beginners tool here, instead it is considered
: almost a necessity for intermediate - advanced kayakers. We may have
: become a rudder dependant nation but I don't think the skill level is
: lacking because of this since experianced yakkers have learnt to paddle
: with the rudder flipped up.